Akil Watts scores first MLS goal as CITY SC falls to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — St. Louis CITY SC fell 2-1 in a tightly contested match against the Portland Timbers Sunday night at Providence Park.

CITY SC dominated the first half, outshooting the Timbers nine shots to five and posting an xG of 1.37. The hard work paid off for St. Louis in the second half, as Akil Watts broke the deadlock in the 50th minute with his first career MLS goal.

Portland equalized five minutes later and tallied the game winner in second-half stoppage time courtesy of a goal from David Ayala.

Brendan McSorley made his first MLS appearance for the 2025 season after signing a short-term loan from St. Louis CITY 2 earlier in the day.

The loss also marks the first time St. Louis did not pick up at least one point at Providence Park against the Timbers since the team debuted in 2023.

“They were good, had an excellent game,” said CITY SC caretaker manager David Critchley about the back four’s performance. “If we fall 2-1 to a 1.6 xG at home, when I’m just looking strictly at the data, decent performance from the backline, especially when we outpossess them in very large moments of the game and create more chances.”

Critchley, currently serving as caretaker manager following the firing of manager Olof Mellberg on May 27 after 15 games, was the head coach of CITY SC’s entire academy system before being promoted to head coach of CITY 2 in November 2024. Before the two matches to date under his belt, he had never managed a team in MLS outside of academies and MLS Next.

He finds more positives than negatives in Sunday’s performance.

“Okay, the result didn’t go our way today,” Critchley said. “We obviously had a moment where we conceded late in the game. But I told the guys, my message was very clear to them that my emotions in this game were not disappointment, was not anger, was not frustration. My emotions are proud and excited for the very near future for this team.”

CITY SC midfielder Watts concurred with Critchley’s remarks.

“We’re keeping the ball a lot more,” Watts said. “Before, we were just dumping in behind and hoping for the best, and I feel like we’re actually playing soccer. Now it’s enjoyable to play like this.”

Watts was also asked about scoring his first goal of his MLS career.

“It was a matter of time, and I just was following the play,” Watts said. “Célio [Pompeu] created a chance for us. Obviously, I should have had the first shot. I’m glad I got a second chance, too.”

The players are starting to notice that the attack is growing under the interim tutelage of Critchley.

“If you see last week against San Jose, we created chances out of playing out from the back,” said midfielder Marcel Hartel. “Today is where we created even more chances in this game against Portland than we created last week. So, we are happy with the system, and how we play now. We have to continue it.”

CITY SC will welcome the LA Galaxy to Energizer Park on Saturday, June 14 at 3:30 p.m. Central.

GOALS:

• STL: Akil Watts, 50th minute
• POR: Antony, 55th minute (assist by Jimer Fory)
• POR: David Ayala, 90th minute + 2 (assist by Santiago Moreno)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

• POR: Jimer Fory (caution), 13’ 
• STL: Timo Baumgartl (caution), 45’ 
• STL: Simon Becher (caution), 68’ 
• POR: Kamal Miller (caution), 90’+4 
• POR: Felipe Mora (caution), 90’+8 

BOX SCORE & STATS:

	1H	2H	Final		Shots	SOG	Saves
St. Louis	0	1	1		18	8	4
Portland	0	2	2		17	6	7

 

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